Adam J. Hopkins: 2023 candidate for Bartlett Village Board, 4-year term

Bio

Town: Bartlett

Age on Election Day: 43

Occupation: Union local 134 electrician

Employer: NuCore Electric Inc.

Previous offices held: Bartlett Village Board trustee since 2015

Q&A

Q: What is the most serious issue your community will face in the coming years and how should the village board respond to it?

A: Over the last eight years, since I was elected to the board, we have worked through several serious issues such as transitioning to Lake Michigan water from well water/Fox River water; built a new police station to support those who keep our town safe; and planned for the end of the TIF district in Brewster Creek.

Because we have addressed these serious issues, we are able to focus on other areas that impact the village. One of the key issues that our village will face in the coming years is the train merger that will significantly increase train traffic. This especially impacts our residents on the west side of Bartlett. We have allocated resources to accomplish this goal such as sending a trustee to Washington, D.C., and joining a coalition with neighboring communities to fight the merger.

Q: How would you describe the state of your community's finances?

A: The village has a high bond rating and we continuously look for ways to reduce our borrowing cost. In the last few years we refinanced some of our bonds to lower rates as a cost-saving measure. We also have annual financial audits performed and always have received positive results.

Q: What should be the three top priorities for spending in your community during the next four years?

A: Key municipal services should always be the top priority. Three of these key municipal services are: Residential lead water service line replacement, water meter replacement and waste water treatment plant renovation. We are working on a project to replace residential lead service lines, applying for state and federal funding to reduce costs while increasing safety. The water meter replacement program will give residents more control to see current usage with email notifications for water leaks.

The waste water treatment plant for our DuPage County residents will ensure we meet all IEPA requirements and run more energy efficiently, reducing future costs.

Q: Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed? If so, what are they?

A: The Bartlett Hills Golf Course has been earmarked for a $1.9M irrigation system using developer deposits. After I expressed concern about funding this project with developer deposits rather than user fees, we have pivoted our plan, funding the project with increased user fees. This allows us to keep those funds available for key municipal services while continuing to provide an updated more cost-efficient golf course with competitive user fees.

Q: What do you see as the most important infrastructure project the community must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what project(s) can be put on the back burner?

A: The lead line water service project I mentioned previously is one that is so important. These are water service lines owned by residents in our village. We currently have applied for loan forgiveness from the state and federal government to replace all the lead service lines that residents would normally have to pay for. Considering the current economic times, I hoped we could work with Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and the IEPA to develop a more cost effective way to handle the renovation of the Devon Excess Flow Facility that is currently estimated to be $8-9M.

Q: Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach agreement and manage local government? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board.

A: In my two terms serving our village as a trustee, I have prioritized being a voice for all Bartlett residents. I listen to residents' needs and concerns and bring them to our board for discussion. In discussions with other trustees and village staff, working together but also holding firm on my key beliefs is crucial. I share my positions on key topics and I listen to my fellow trustees while working together to formulate a plan to support the village.

Our current board works together effectively through times of consensus as well as when there are vastly differing beliefs. We are able to do this through clear and frequent communication about the issues at hand, always striving to represent the best interests of the residents of our community.

Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?

A: I believe that I am the best candidate to represent the residents of our town. As a lifelong Bartlett resident currently raising my three young children in our town, I have a vested interest in the current and future decisions of local government.

As a trustee, I follow up with residents that reach out to me with concerns. I have facilitated conversations between staff and residents; I have listened to concerns about new developments when I vote; and I take concerns shared with me to the staff and board. I have helped shape our village over the last eight years, prioritizing key municipal services and the voice of residents, and I look forward to another four years.

Q: What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?

A: The Lake Street/Route 20 corridor between Park Boulevard and Bartlett Road needs to be improved. We have auto dealerships currently being built further west and I would like to see the momentum and modernization continue further east. I see opportunities to expand business and services for our residents while also enhancing the look and feel of the area.